The construction site of the National Stadium in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, the main venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, was unveiled to the media on Wednesday.
Construction of the main building started in December 2016 and is now about 90 percent completed. The exterior portions are almost entirely finished, and work will now shift to elements inside the stadium, such as turf on the field. The entire project is scheduled to be completed at the end of November this year.
Work on the roof, which is considered the most difficult portion, finished in May, and members of the media were able to view the distinctive, doughnut-like roof that covers the spectators' seats. There are five colors of seat -- known as the earth colors -- white, greenish yellow, gray, dark green and dark brown.
About 45,000 seats out of the about 60,000 that are to be readied for the Games have been installed so far.
"The construction is going well. We're at the busiest time for interior work," said a person in charge at the Japan Sport Council (JSC), an implementing body of the project.
Wood from all 47 prefecures is being used in the stadium. To beat the heat, 185 fans are set to create wind currents and eight mist machines have also been installed.
JSC plans to organize an opening event at the stadium featuring athletes and artists on Dec. 21 to draw 60,000 spectators.
The Tokyo Olympics start on July 24, 2020, and the Paralympics on Aug. 25, 2020.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
